"Todays topic is about what is known as a dragon's equilibrium. While many of you have heard of this not many dragons know what it truly is," A wind dragoness stalked down the front of a large room with steps heading upwards to a large door that lead into the rest of the school, "At the moment there are only two known dragons, alive that is, who have reached this milestone. Both of them reside at Sky Mountain; so if you wish to ask them questions after this lesson, please feel free to do so. Now, onto the lesson."

Silver was listening this time, hearing something new, though she would still rather be outside, flying. Back at Dragon Valley she had gone flying every day. It was a great way to keep fit and was an enjoyable pass time. Now, she only ever flew when she sparred, and that was for less then a couple of seconds at a time.

"The equilibrium is a point when a dragon becomes 'one' with their element. Usually it only comes about during a time of great strife, when a dragon is pushed to its limit and beyond. This is why it is so rare. During this time a dragon has utmost control of their element. For example, when a fire dragon reaches their equilibrium they become pure fire, which they can manipulate however they want, changing their shape and other such things.

However, a dragon in equilibrium state is also very dangerous. As I said before, it is only when they are pushed past their limit through emotional and physical strife that they are able to reach this point. This makes them extremely unpredictable and dangerous. Usually they cannot tell friend from foe and wreak havoc until they settle down, turning back to their original state.

Once a dragon has reached their equilibrium the first time, they can do so again relatively easily, though it takes quite an enormous amount of energy. Also, the second time they do so they are usually in control of their bodies, though still a little more prone to rages and other such things. So should any of you reach this point, make sure to be extremely careful when using such power. Yes Tyla?"

"What are the different types of Equilibrium?" asked a rather academic acid dragoness.

"I was just about to get to that," said the teacher, "Let's start with fire shall we."

Silver sighed and lay her head down on her paws as the teacher began to drone on again. An equilibrium did sound pretty cool, but she would worry about that later. After this lesson she was planning on trying to find one of the higher up dragons in an attempt to make some changes to where she was staying. Often times at night she was kept up by the other females talking about different problems in Sky Mountain, and the males. That annoyed her especially.

An hour later the class finally ended and there was a small headache forming in the base of her skull. The only part she would have been interested in was what the metal dragon's equilibrium was, but they didn't know. She wasn't surprised though. Besides her, her father was the only other metallic dragon and as far as she knew he hadn't reached that point.

She was the first one to rush out the door as they all began to make their way back to The Centre. She needed to get out of there, and with the quickly fading light she had only about an hour or so until they were allowed to eat, and straight after that they were sent to their nests, like hatchlings. She wished she could hunt herself, but it was 'illegal' to kill anything in the valley. Instead food was brought to them, most of the time cooked, and they ate their fill. While cooked food definitely had more taste, Silver found she liked the raw variety better. It was what she had grown up with.

"Silver!" the voice rose above the crowd.

She turned to see an older dragon struggling through the young dragons toward her. He was a telekinetic dragon, around twenty years old with a regal looking build and a hard scar on his shoulder. Not exactly a strong dragon, but someone who had been through a lot.

Silver frowned and waited for the dragon. She had never seen him before and didn't know what he would want. Raize had stopped as well, wondering what was happening, but she quickly waved him on. Frowning he did what she said and left.

"Who are you?" Silver asked when the dragon was close enough to talk to without yelling.

"My name is Cragin. I was sent by Elder Iraliene. She wants to talk to you," he said.

"Iraliene?" Silver mentally grinned, getting to speak with a higher up dragon was going to be easier then expected.

"Yes, you are to follow me immediately," he said.

Silver didn't argue, only nodding her head. It was time she had a proper conversation with the leader of this place anyway. That last one didn't count. Cragin turned and began to walk in the opposite direction, seeming to expect the dragoness to follow. With a snort she did, padding up behind him.

The two of them walked through The School to another tunnel that lead straight into The Nest. Without a word the two dived into the tunnel, flying slowly beside each other. Silver had never flown through a tunnel with another dragon at her side and was surprised to find that it was big enough to fit them both side by side with their wings fully outstretched. But she didn't trust the tunnel enough to test that theory and chose to stay behind the dragon. He was supposed to be leading the way anyway.

They exited at the top of The Nest, flying down into the cavern. The dragoness rarely flew up here so it was a rather interesting experience. Up here was where the higher-ranking dragons usually lived, and most of them were far older then she was. Once she had spotted a rather young dragon, no more then nine, fly into one of the caves but other then that the minimum age was probably around twenty.

Cragin turned and flew up to the highest cave there was. It was probably the largest as well. The opening was easily big enough to let almost five dragons to fly in at once unhindered. Silver wondered why it would need to be so large. From what she remembered Iraliene could have a cave entrance twice as small and would still be able to fit in comfortably. Deciding not to worry about it she followed the brown dragon up to the cave.

The inside of the cave was no less massive. It split off into three sections, two of them Silver didn't get to see however as she was lead through one on the far right. The room they entered was rather large, not as large as the female cave that she slept in, but big enough for a number of dragons. It was well used as well. There were a number of dragons around, doing different activities. A mind dragon was sitting at some sought of screen, watching words flash across the screen. There was a group talking in one corner and still more working with a human, doing miscellaneous activities. There was one thing that was all similar between them. They were all rare species, from gravity dragons to life dragons, all of them.

And in the centre of it all was Iraliene. She was sitting atop a perch, her tail coiled around the edge, watching the proceedings with her ever-intense glare. Her scales reflected the light across the room, much like Silver's shell, and she had the expression of a dragon deep in thought. When she saw the two of them a grin broke out. Her tail unwound from the perch and she carefully stepped down.

"Silver! Just the dragon I've been wanting to see," the leader of Sky Mountain spoke with grace.

"Elder Iraliene," Silver bowed slightly, thinking that if she was respectful at the start of this conversation there was a higher chance she could get what she wanted.

"You are settling in well I presume?" she asked.

"Yes," Silver nodded, though she was lying when she said it.

"Good. I have heard you are doing quite well in your fighting classes, but that is only to be expected when I remember what you've been through," said the life dragon.

"I guess I am," she shrugged.

"Aaah, you're to humble Silver. I watched what you did to Frezron, who is the leading battle trainer in Sky Mountain," Iraliene sighed, "If only our other trainee dragons were so good."

"I was trained by my father, the greatest dragon in the world. He taught me most of what I know."

"As only to be expected. A shame that he is captured."

"Yes... it is."

"Which brings me to the reason for your visit," the green dragoness looked over the room, "If you would please join me."

Silver did as she was told, sidling up to Iraliene's side. For some reason this dragoness seemed to be able to make her feel... weak. Her size, her beauty, her manor, even her eyes. They outshone Silver in everyway, and she couldn't help but be angry because of it. Never had a dragon had such an aweing affect on her. Besides her father, but that was different.

The two of them began to walk around the room, not saying anything. The silence was beginning to drive Silver crazy. She glanced around the room. Her gaze fell on a young gravity dragon that was lazing about on a soft bed of pillows. The two of them made eye contact, and Silver couldn't help but blink in surprise. It was Gravon. He winked at her and grinned. She smiled slightly back before taking her eyes away from him, frowning.

"Now, as I'm sure you've already noticed. Every dragon in this room is of a rarer species, whether that be mind, darkness, light, life or gravity," Iraliene finally spoke, "Here at Sky Mountain we like to make sure that rarer dragons do not fall extinct. Do you know how many gravity dragons there are in the world Silver?"

She shook her head.

"Eight. Soon that number will be ten as a female of the species has recently laid two eggs. The father was also gravity in case you were wondering how I would know that they both are the same species," Iraliene said, "But your species, Silver, your species is far rarer. There is only your father and you if I am to be correct."

Silver nodded her head, beginning to fear where this conversation was leading.

"Your eighth hatch day is coming up in two months," continued the life dragoness, "And we need... excuse me.... The world needs more metallic dragons to be hatched. That is if A.O.D.H hasn't already managed to 'convince' your father to produce more offspring. This would be a sure tragedy indeed. So, until we manage to free your father it is up to you to increase the number of metallic dragons in the world."

"You're asking me to find a mate?" Silver gaped, "But I'm not even...."

"Not at this very moment," snorted Iraliene, "I know fully well you can't bare any eggs at your current age. No. I want you to bare eggs as soon as possible. This means I want you to choose a mate, if not on your eighth hatch day, soon after. If you don't feel ready to make that commitment, I here it is common place that many of you younger generation dragons mate before actually making a final decision."

A low growl escaped Silver, "And why would I do such a thing?"

"To spread your species, my dear, why else?" Iraliene sighed, "Not many know this, but I was the first life dragon to ever hatch. My father was an earth dragon and my mother, water. They were pleasantly surprised to find a completely new species hatch from their egg. However they raised me as equal to my clutch siblings. When I reached my eighth hatch day I chose a mate, and by the time I was ten I had given birth to five clutches of my own, with a sixth on the way. It would be wonderful if something similar happened with you."

Silver had never felt so embarrassed or angry before, "I will not be your brood mare!"

"Hmm, fiery indeed. Maybe it would have been better for you and your brother to have switched species," sighed the life dragon, "But anyway, back to the problem at hand. Perhaps you need some persuasion? I presume you remember your friend, Celestia?"

The two of the stopped before a rather plump light dragon that Silver at first didn't recognise. When she did she couldn't help but gape in surprise. It was indeed Celestia; although a far bigger Celestia then what Silver could remember. This wasn't the type of 'large' that came from being fat. Her friend was gravid.

"Celestia?" Silver said in disbelief.

The light dragon opened her eyes, instantly lifting her head to look at Silver. A small, tired smile crossed her maw when she saw her. She gave a small nod in greeting.

"Silver, I was wondering whether or not I would see you again," she said.

"You look... well endowed," Silver said, not being able to find the right word for what she was thinking, "Who's the father?"

"A shadow dragon named Durin," Celestia sighed, "He's a little older then me, and quite the charmer. You could almost say it was love at first sight."

"But... it's only been a month!"

"And a month well spent," she gestured to her swollen stomach, "I'm dew to lay in a week or so. And after that they'll take another month or so to hatch."

"Are you ready for hatchlings?" Silver couldn't help but ask.

Celestia hesitated, "I don't know. But Sky Mountain will help me take care of them, so I'll still have my free time whenever I wish. Besides, isn't it worth it? I mean, both shadow and light dragons are extremely rare, the more hatchlings of the species that are born the better."

"If you think so," the metallic dragon hesitated.

"Don't worry about me Silver. I've never been more happy in my life," she grinned, before laying her head down, "But it is exhausting."

"She is right. We should let her rest," Iraliene lead her away from her friend and they continued to walk around the cave, "You see my dear, it isn't all that bad. Making them is fun, and having them is satisfying. Aren't you tired of being the only metallic dragon here?"

"Well... yes, but that doesn't mean I want a mate. To take care of my own hatchlings... I don't think I'm ready for that," Silver replied.

"You don't need to be. As Celestia said, Sky Mountain will do it for you. We do it with many young parents who 'accidently' fall gravid," Iraliene smiled gently, "And as I said before you don't have to choose one dragon. You can always make that decision later."

"No. I would prefer to be with only one dragon," she shivered.

The life dragoness frowned, "If you say so. I won't hold you to that. Now, may I offer a couple of suggestions that I think would go well? Namely my son, I'm pretty sure you're already acquainted, Gravon."

"You're his mother?" Silver was shocked, she didn't think the older dragon was still having hatchlings.

"Yes, don't sound so surprised my dear, of course I still have the occasional clutch," Iraliene seemed to think for a moment, "Any rare dragon would do, though if you want to go for the more common ones I won't stop you. I here you and a young electric dragon have a liking for one another."

"Zepos?"

"Aaah, is that his name? A promising young drake I must say, but then again, he has been through both A.O.D.H and D.E.D relatively unscathed. I fear that he may be even more head strong the you are," she smiled, "So you see dear, it won't be that difficult."

Silver sighed, "I'll try."

"Good. Because if you don't..." Iraliene's kind demeanour fell away to something far more deadly, "I will choose for you."

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Hey guys! New chapter! Hope you enjoyed. Vote if you did and comment what you thought. Also, tell me what you think of the new book cover! Thanks to Bookcoverchick for making it. Next chapter will be out soon. See Ya!

Pennator^^